OBESITY AND PERIODONTAL DISEASE ARE INVERSELY ASSOCIATED IN A POPULATION OF ADULTS IN SOUTHERN BRAZIL

Abstract

Objective: Investigate the association between obesity (measured using the body mass index and abdominal circumference) and periodontal disease in adults.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 280 adults (102 men and 178 women) who sought dental care at the clinic of the dentistry course of the Lutheran University of Brazil (Cachoeira do Sul campus). The participants answered a questionnaire addressing socioeconomic, demographic, behavioral and health-related characteristics. Height, body weight and waist measurements were determined in a standardized way for the calculation of the variables used to define obesity: body mass index (BMI) and abdominal circumference (AC). Oral clinical examinations were performed by two examiners who had undergone training and calibration exercises. Periodontal disease was recorded when clinical attachment loss was ≥ 5 mm in ≥ 30% of the teeth. Statistical analysis involved simple and multivariate Poisson regression with robust variance.

Results: The prevalence of periodontal disease was 49.6% (139/280). The multivariate models indicated a lower likelihood of periodontal disease in individuals considered obese based on BMI (PR=0.64; 95% CI: 0.47-0.88) and AC (PR=0.72; 95% CI: 0.55-0.93). Moreover, the prevalence of the outcome was significantly higher in older individuals, those with less schooling, smokers and individuals with diabetes.

Conclusion: An inverse association was found between obesity measured using both criteria and periodontal disease. The present data suggest that care and counseling for the prevention and control of periodontal disease should be equally directed at individuals in the ideal weight range as well as those with overweight or obesity.